Guppy Class
Guppy’s are the youngest of paddlers, and the future of our sport.
Children as young as seven can begin their journey in a type of kayak called a ‘Guppy’. These kayaks are specifically designed for children, are stable to paddle, easy to carry, great for learning essential river skills in, and is the perfect introduction to kayak racing.
The U/12 class will be a pure Guppy Class, if an U/12 wishes to paddle a K1 then that athlete will paddle U/14’s.
The U/12 State titles are awarded for guppy class only.
PWA will not discourage juniors from going up to K1 but the policy position, in WA, U/12 is a guppy class, raced in guppy K1s.
WASPS
WA Sprint Pathways Squad (WASPS) is the state sprint kayak performance development opportunity in the pathway for athletes at an intermediate to elite level of performance, often between club level and WAIS level. Selection criteria is set to ensure athletes showing training skills, self-management qualities and performance potential are provided with further development.
WASPS is the Elite development squad for athletes showing promise and consistency in under 21 competition and training.
Athletes selected for the WASPS have shown diligence in training, skills in managing life off the water (study, work, social) and perform at a level which shows potential for Asia Pacific rep teams, junior teams and/or under 23 teams.
